Metropolitan District
About the Metropolitan District of the New York Annual Conference
The Metropolitan District of the New York Annual Conference (NYAC) is home to 54 churches located in Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Westchester County. Congregations within NYAC’s Metropolitan District are located as far down as the east side of the lower Hudson River and as far up as Croton-on-Hudson.
The history of the Metropolitan District churches reach back to the earliest days of Methodism in America. NYAC’s Metropolitan District includes churches that are among the most historically notable and broadly diverse in terms of culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation/gender identity, and age.
Our member churches are Christ-centered, socially engaged, innovative and welcoming to all seeking to join a vibrant faith-community.
Consider:
- The historic John Street United Methodist Church i(UMC) in Manhattan, built in 1768, is the first Methodist church in the Americas, filled with original artifacts dating back to its founding and a worshipping community.
As the first Methodist church in the Americas, John Street UMC is the oldest continuous congregation in American Methodism.
- Korean Methodist Church and Institute, the first Korean UMC in New York is noted by historians as the
place where the Korean National Anthem was written in the 1940s. The church, located in Morningside Hieghts, is a multi-generational congreagtion with strong community
- Salem UMC in the heart of Harlem. Founded in 1881, Salem has long been home to many of Harlem’s cultural and intellectual elites, including singer Marian Anderson and poet Countee Cullen. Today, Salem's dynamic leadership connects to the community by crossing cultural and generational lines to transform the world.
- First Spanish UMC, the first Spanish speaking UMC in New York City. This church is noted for its role in the fight for human and civil rights in New York, resulting from the 1969 takeover of our historic church by the Young Lords for eleven days to establish space to provide community services, basic health tests, Puerto Rican history lessons, breakfast programs, and daycare for children.
- St. Paul & St. Andrew UMC, home to the largest food pantry in New York City, is a welcoming community on the upper west side. This church serves the social, immigration and spiritual needs of the greater community.
- Asbury UMC in Croton-on-Hudson. The original church building, which still stands a few blocks away from the church's present location, is where Francis Asbury preached in the small Bethel chapel in 1795. The cemetery’s (established in 1801) is the final resting place of author and playwright, Lorraine Hansberry.
We encourage you to learn more about our churches, dynamic and engaged clergy; our District Superintendent, Cooperative Parishes, and how the United Methodists in the New York Annual Conference continue to live into our core values as an inclusive, loving, and anti-racist community transforming the world through Jesus Christ.
